Revolving stage



B. BERKELEY REVOLVING STAGE Nov. 6, 1934 Filed Dec. 27, 1952 m w m BLISBYBERKELE! ATTORNE Patented Nov. 6, 1934 PATENT OFFICE REVOLVING STAGE Busby Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Calif., assignor to Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 27, 1932, Serial No. 648,965

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for producing unusual effects in theatres. These effects may be photographed by a motion picture camera as is well understood.

An object of the present invention is to produce unusual moving scenes in a small constricted space.

This is accomplished by providing a plurality of concentric stages or platforms which are independently rotated and upon which actors or dancers may perform.

By using this system of revolving stages, such shots can be made wherein two lines of performers are made to pass each other without any apparent movement on their part.

' giving the effect of a dolly shot.

Other very striking scenes may be produced wherein actors are running in different directions and yet remaining in the same relative positions.

Still another advantage is that running or socalled dolly shots may be made without moving the camera. The camera may be positioned over the turntables and actors thereon may be moved towards or away from the camera, thus Very many other types of scenes may be produced by using this apparatus.

For further details of this invention reference may be made to the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan View with the parts broken away of the apparatus used in this invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-section showing a preferred means for rotating the concentric turn-tables.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1, the

' apparatus consists of a series of three concentric stages or turn-tables, 1, 2 and 3. The turn-table 1 is the center table and is in the form of a fiat disc. Tables 2 and 3 are in the form of rings surrounding table 1.

As shown in Figure 2, the turn-tables 1, 2 and 3 may be in stepped relation, one to the other, the bottom-most turn-table 3, being flush with the fixed stage 4. The center turntable 1 is recessed to accommodate an elevator platform 5. Platform 5 is reciprocated by means of an electric motor 6, mounted on a platform "I, beneath the table 1. The motor 6 drives a spool 5'7, about which is wrapped the ends of a cable 8, which passes over a series of fixed pulleys 9, 10, 11 and 12 and under two pulleys 13 and 14 mounted on the bottom of the elevator 5. The pulleys 9, 10, 11 and 12 are mounted on two columns 15 and 16 respectively; fixed relatively to the turn-table 1. Thus when the motor 6 is actuated, the spool 57 rotates and either winds up or pays out the cable 8, so that the elevator platform 5 is raised or lowered as desired. The revolving stage 1 is supported on a center column 1'7 which rests in a fixed bearing 18. Mounted adjacent the bear- 6,0 ing 18 and around column 17, is a large pulley 19. An endless cable 20 passes around the an nulus of the pulley 19, over a series of spaced pulleys 21, 22 and 23, and around the annulus of a driven pulley 24. The center turn-table 1 is supported by a series of suitable spaced rollers, such as 25. Rollers 25 are guided by a tubular track 26, which is supported by a trestle 27.

The platform 7, carrying motor 6, is supported by the pulley 19, so that when the driven pulley 24 is rotated, the center turn-table 1 and the reciprocating elevator 5 will be rotated together, ample stability being provided by the wheels 25. Turn-table 2 is supported by a series of bogie trucks such as 28. Bogie truck 28 consists of four wheels, 29, 30, 31 and 32 journaled to a pair of axles 33 and 34, respectively. The axles 33 and 34 are held together by a framework 35. The wheels 29, 30, 31 and 32 ride on a track composed of a pair of circular rails 36 and 3'7. These rails are held in place by a series of spaced ties, such as 38.

There is a depending flange 39 around the outer annulus of the table 2. A second depending flange 40 is around the inner annulus of table 2. The two flanges are inter-connected by a series of bridges or struts 41, to which the trucks 28 are fastened by means of a free riding pin 42. Rails 35 and 37 are supported at the desired height by a suitable trestle structure 43. The lower extremity of the depending flange 39 is in the form of a pulley about the annulus of which there is a cable 44. Cable 44 passes over a fixed pulley 45 and around the annulus of a driven pulley 50, so that when the pulley 50 is rotated, the turntable 2 will also be rotated.

The platform 3 is similarly supported by means of a series of trucks such as 51, which are supported by a trestle 52. There is a depending flange 46 around the outer annulus of the table 3. This flange, like flange 39, is in the form of a pulley about the annulus of which an endless cable 47 passes. Cable 47 passes over a fixed pulley 48 and around the annulus of a driven pulley 49 so that when the pulley 49 is rotated, the turntable 3 will be rotated.

The driven pulleys 24, 49 and 50 are driven by means of an internal combustion engine 53, through a series of two gears, 54 and 55. A second series of gears 56 is shown which may be incorporated with a series of clutches (not shown) so that the turn-tables may be reversed or rotated at any desired speed.

Thus it will be seen that an apparatus is provided which will accommodate a vast company of moving actors. These actors may move towards and away from each other without any relative movement on their part and very striking and unusual scenes may be obtained in a small space.

It is to be understood, of course, that the turntables may be built on the same level and yet come within the scope of this invention.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the inventive thought herein conceived.

Having thus described "the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a plurality of concentric stages in stepped relation, a reciprocating ele-' vator platform surrounded by the innermost stage, means for reciprocating said elevator platform, and means for variably rotating said stages.

2. In combination, a plurality of concentric stages, a reciprocating elevator platform inside of one of said stages, means for rotating said stages, and means for reciprocating said elevator platform.

3. The combination of a plurality of concentric stages, a reciprocating elevator platform inside of one of said stages, means comprising a single motor for rotating said stages, and means for reciprocating said elevator platform.

4. A theatrical platform comprising a rotatable member, means for rotating said member, a plurality of concentric stages, means for supporting said stages on said-member, means for elevating one of said stages, and means for supporting said elevating means on said rotatable member. v

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